The potential use of contour hedgerows for soil erosion control in the highlands of Kabale district southwestern Uganda.
1993
Kakuru E.
The purpose of research was to investigate the effectiveness of Calliandra calothyrsus hedge rows and Napier grass strips as understories varying intra-row spacings of Grevillea robusta for soil erosion control in the highlands of Kabale. Thirty erosion plots were imposed on an existing upperstory management trial to sample soil and water loss on steep cultivated slopes. A one litre representative sample from total run off of each plot was left to settle for four days. The clear water was decanted off and the sediments were oven dried to constant weight at 105 centigrade. Soil samples collected up-slope and down-slope from hedgerows were chemically analysed. The analyses for determination of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. sodium, calcium, organic matter content, pH and texture. Napier and calliandra significantly (p<0.001) reduced soil loss relative to control by an estimated 68.0 and 55.6 respectively. There were no significant differences (p<0.05) in soil loss among the different upperstory intra-row spacings of grevillea. Soil analysis results indicate that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in organic matter content among understory treatments. Soil organic matter under napier appears to have increased by an estimated 24 relative to the control. Hedgerow is highly recommended for soil erosion control in Kabale highlands but by-laws should be enacted to prevent livestock from damaging young trees. Further research needed to determine optimal inter hedgerow spacing for different spp. of shrubs and grasses.
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